This Week In National And International News

October 17, 2017

by Sarah Willson

Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut joined with over 20 of their colleagues late last week to put an end to a law that allows gun sales to proceed without a background check if one is not completed within 72 hours, according to the Hartford Courant.

Hurricane Nate made landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast last Saturday evening, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds from Alabama to Louisiana

President Donald Trump is said to abolish the Obama policy that allowed employers to provide free birth control to millions of American women. The goal of the new rule, Trump said, is to allow any company to refuse the coverage for contraception if it interferes with the employer’s religious or moral integrity.

The Irish government says it will put its referendum on hold until next year regarding whether or not the country will change its abortion laws, which are considered to be some of the strictest in Europe.

After weeks of flip-flopping on the situation, Trump finally announced that he is planning to scrap the Iran nuclear deal, a program created by former President Barack Obama back in 2015 with the goal to limit Iran’s nuclear power.

Trump tweeted a statement late last week saying “Only one thing will work” in dealing with North Korea. Mr. Trump has not further elaborated on his comment.

Vice President Mike Pence abruptly left a football game Sunday after some NFL players kneeled during the National Anthem.

After more than 20 years, the United States is planning on lifting “most economic [trade] restrictions” on Sudan in hopes to boost its economy. Sudan, however, will still remain listed as a “state sponsor of terror.”

An undercover FBI agent foiled a jihadist plan to attack Time Square and the subway system in New York City last week. All men involved in the plot have been arrested and are facing charges.

The U.S. lost over 33,000 jobs in September after the economy took a direct hit from Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. It is said to be the first “monthly decline” of jobs in seven years.

The region of Catalonia in Spain is awaiting a decision regarding whether or not the autonomous community will gain independence from Spain. The protests for independence has caused days of riots between Catalonia and the people of Madrid.

The International Red Cross is being forced to “drastically reduce” its staff presence in Afghanistan after seven of its workers were killed in the country this year.